I Love The Coffee But I May Break Up With My Favorite Coffeehouse
This morning I went to Freeport to run some errands. As usual when Iām in town, I grabbed a coffee from my favorite local coffee shop, Higher Grounds.
The cost has gone up a couple times in the few months Iāve been here. Today, the cost was over $5ā¦ an 18% increase from a couple months ago and 15% more than Starbucks (which is right across the street).
I always get a large coffee with vanilla syrup. Nothing fancy but coffee is always better when someone else makes it.
Starbucks coffee is fine but I prefer Higher Grounds coffee. On the other hand, can I really justify paying that much for a sugarfied coffee when I can get my coffee for free at Starbucks?!
Free Coffee From Starbucksā¦
Years ago I started a little game with myself to never pay for Starbucks.
Hereās how I do it:
- Use the Starbucks app to earn āstarsā, eventually getting a free coffee.
- Get my free birthday coffee, which is in less than 2 weeks š
- Use reward apps like Fetch, ReceiptPal, iBotta, and Upside to earn gift cards or cash that goes onto my Starbucks account
My game would not work if I went to Starbies every single day. But it works for my minimal habit.
Parting Thoughtsā¦
I understand businesses need to increase costs but Iām in charge of how and where I spend my money.
With my food allergies, I donāt have many options when it comes to eating out. And, with MCS, sitting inside an establishment for too long can be risky.
My compromiseā¦ I occasionally treat myself by finding a drive-thru coffee place rather than making it myselfā¦ and sometimes I even get a cookie!
I suppose I need to re-evaluate what a "treat" truly means to me and whether a few more dollars a month is as big of a deal as I'm making it or not.
Connie āļø
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